The Osun State Government has ordered immediate contact tracing as Diphtheria claimed a resident on Monday.
The government noted diphtheria infections were recorded in some parts of the state with Governor Ademola Adeleke ordering the immediate activation of the State Emergency Response Centre.
In a statement, the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Olawale Rasheed said: “The Governor’s directive was issued after a situation report from the state Ministry of Health on the outbreak which has claimed one life at Osogbo with other suspected cases under testing.
“I have directed that the state emergency response be reactivated. As a matter of urgency, the confirmed case at Osogbo is to be immediately followed up with contact tracing to ascertain the status of those who had been in contact with the victim.
“Additionally, emergency treatment must be made available to the infected. We are in touch with the National Centre for Disease Control for the exchange of information and technical support. I want to assure our people that proactive steps are being taken to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.
“The Ministry had earlier briefed the Governor on the recent resurgence of diphtheria in the state, informing the state Governor that a suspected Diphtheria patient aged six years was said to have developed the sign and symptoms on the 25th of June, 2023 and died of the infection on 7th July.
“As a follow-up to the Governor’s directive, the Ministry has embarked on a number of actions namely the production and Distribution of handbills, posters and billboards; training of health workers on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of diphtheria; production and airing of a jingle on Prevention of Diphtheria; training and retraining of health workers on sample collection of diphtheria; increase the awareness of immunization acceptability; building capacity of LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on case detection, sample collection, transportation and management; and risk communication of the disease should be intensified in the state and its environs for easy detection”.
He advised the public to ensure children and wards are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded environments, consult doctors in case of symptoms and eat fruits and vegetables.
